BTS was on fire.
BTS held "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN GOYANG" (hereafter "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'") over three days on April 9, 11 and 12 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi.
As BTS's tour resumed for the first time in four years since April 2022, attracting a lot of attention, this concert marked the start of the team's new chapter, "BTS 2.0," together with the new record "Arirang." About 132,000 spectators visited the venue over the three days.
The Goyang concerts sold out all three shows as soon as tickets opened, proving BTS's ticket power. In particular, this concert infused "Korean sentiment" throughout the stage set and setlist. Direction that added a modern sensibility to traditional symbols blended organically with the music. At the venue, a pavilion in the shape of a pavilion inspired by Gyeonghoeru was installed at the center of the 360-degree stage, modernly reinterpreting a banquet space for everyone to enjoy.
The stage floor was designed with the Taeguk as a motif, with the circular Taeguk pattern at the center and protruding stages radiating in four directions reminiscent of geon-gon-gam-ri. Along with the symbolism of the Taeguk flag, BTS's will to communicate more closely with the audience was revealed.
For the opening, BTS performed "Hooligan," "Aliens" and "Run BTS" in succession, and Jungkook began the remarks. Jungkook said, "Everyone, we are starting the second performance now. Unlike yesterday, the weather is wonderful today. Is everyone not cold? Are you okay?" and added, "You may be cold, but we will heat things up for you."
V said, "We've done a 360-degree performance. Since ARMY are surrounding the 360 degrees, we feel so good," and Jimin said, "Isn't today so great? The weather is nice, and I think we can hear ARMY's voices well. We released
Suga also said, "We're trying to show a new side and try new things, so it may feel unfamiliar, but please enjoy it to the fullest," and Jin said, "I will sing hard on stage. ARMY, can you have fun? ARMY who can have fun, scream!" encouraging cheers.
As soon as the members finished their remarks, they started "they don't know 'bout us," followed by "Like Animals," "FAKE LOVE," "SWIM," "Merry Go Round" and others, bringing together the 44,000 ARMY who were on site. BTS naturally connected the stages to increase the organic nature of the performance. Even the transition moments became part of the show; huge props appeared during exits to naturally divert the audience's attention and maintain the enjoyment of watching the performance.
The returning BTS heated up the atmosphere with "2.0" and "NORMAL." ARMY responded, helping BTS to soar on stage. J-Hope marveled, "Truly, ARMY's energy is amazing. Maybe because the weather is nice today, the atmosphere seems even better." Jungkook, smiling at ARMY's enthusiastic cheers, said, "It feels so good right now. If you continue to enjoy it as excitedly as you are now, it will be an even more wonderful concert."
V also asked, "And from now on we'll burn up the next stage. ARMY should be fired up… Jimin, how can we get fired up?" Jimin replied, "I'll explain it simply. I wave my hand, then what should you do? You should wave. If I run, what do you do? You run together." Then Jimin asked, "I don't have a phone, then what do I do?" and V said, "ARMY shouldn't have phones either," asking the audience to enjoy the running performance together.
As BTS had said, the following songs became ones where members and fans could run and play together. After "Not Today," they continued with "MIC Drop," "FYA," and "Fire," and ARMY shouted until their voices were hoarse. Jin said, "Did you all have fun? We had fun too, so we'll have a glass of water," continuing communication with fans. About an hour into the concert the weather got colder, but ARMY's heat continued. RM said, "It's a shame to stop here," and Suga said, "Exactly. Shall we go?" as "Body to Body" began.
After singing "Arirang" with members and ARMY united, the members continued the mood with "IDOL" and began to run around the stadium track. Not only the floor audience but all seated spectators rose from their seats to enjoy the excitement, and the members responded with even hotter live performances. Next, the members passionately sang "Come Over," and Suga said, "It's a song I wrote on the first day as soon as we arrived. It feels unfamiliar now, but you'll get to know it gradually. Those are the songs that last."
Soon RM said, "Almost 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Even the passing neighbor's dog Cheolsu knows that song. That very song is coming to you," and performed "Butter." As soon as the song started, ARMY joined in the chorus, sweetening the scene. Following "Butter," BTS immediately went into "Dynamite," and the members played to ARMY on stage, bringing out smiles. The members kept smiling as they sang, expressing exactly how they felt in the moment.
After finishing the stage, the members reacted, "Hit songs are the best," prompting laughter. J-Hope said, "It's nice to sing with ARMY," and took song requests from ARMY on the spot. As requests such as "No More Dream" and "Boy in Luv" continued, songs were chosen on the spot by the general director. The members' expressions were priceless when the suddenly appearing song "DNA" played. Laughter followed at the sight of members who remembered the choreography and those who did not, and Jin said, "We remember only one-tenth."
With all stages finished except the encore, Suga began his closing remarks, saying, "Maybe because the weather is nice today, everyone's tension seems high, and I feel good. If friends come tomorrow as well, I hope it will be a show that lifts spirits and blows away stress like today. Thanks to you, we'll take good memories with us. I love you."
Jimin opened by saying, "Did you all have fun? It's not raining today, and we can see those of you up there very well. We had the first show two days ago, and because we prepared so hard and it rained, I think there were important things I couldn't say," he said. Jimin emphasized gratitude to fans, saying, "It's been six and a half years since we started touring, and four years since the album came out. I missed you so much during that time and wanted to say thank you for waiting. Thank you so much. We will try to show great stages and music as we prepared for the tour, so please always be by our side. I'm always grateful and I love you."
By contrast, V said, "I was so excited while doing the first show the day before yesterday. After it ended, my throat hurt. I was told I have to give 80 ending remarks, so I thought about how to do it. It was good to talk about recent events. Yesterday I ate shabu-shabu and it was very tasty. I went to sleep at 12:30 a.m. I slept a lot. Thank you," sharing a novel kind of remark that made the audience laugh.
Jin, taking the microphone, asked, "Is there anyone coming tomorrow? There are really a lot. Then are there people who can't come today? Then you should relieve your stress and go. Are you relieved?" and said, "Those who can't come, shout loudly and finish beautifully."
Leader RM bowed deeply and said, "First of all, it took a really long time; thank you sincerely for waiting and supporting us." He added, "I'm so, so grateful, and we're showing you many changes, but the important thing hasn't changed. The important thing is that the seven of us decided to do this together. And another thing is this sincerity that we truly think of you. We won't take what you've filled here for granted and will always remain humble."
RM continued, "When I first saw Jungkook he was 15, and now he's 30; Jin hyung was 20, and now he's 35. We're all over 30 now. It's a decision made after 15 years as independent individuals, and it's a decision we made to do this work longer, so please be generous and believe in us. Thank you and I love you. Thank you."
Following RM, Jungkook began with a deep bow and said, "Today the second performance of the Arirang tour has ended. First, I'm relieved that we finished without any incidents and didn't make the members upset, and your reactions and cheers were perfect. I feel so good."
Jungkook added, "Namjoon hyung said something similar, but I want you to know that no matter the situation when I'm performing live, all my feelings toward you are sincere. From now on I will work myself to the bone for you. If you wait for us, we will repay you as artists with cool and diverse appearances."
Finally J-Hope asked, "Should I bow too?" then concluded, "Did you all have fun today? I'm always curious about your thoughts and reactions. After finishing the first show we talked and prepared for the second. Today we carefully fretted over how to deliver good feelings to you. The seven of us are sincere about the stage, and there are many stages we will show in the future. It didn't rain today, the weather was good, and I think we had a lot of fun. Thank you so much and I love you."
Meanwhile, starting with the Korean performances, BTS is preparing for shows at Tokyo Dome in Japan on Apr. 17–18. They will continue with 85 shows in 34 cities across North America, Europe, South America and Asia. This is the largest number of shows for a single tour by a Korean singer, demonstrating the power of the returning BTS.
[Photo] BigHit Music (HYBE)
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